Three Haines City Men Charged in Illegal Moonshine Operation

“The illegal moonshine racket in Polk County is alive, but not-so-well. Popcorn Sutton would not have been proud of these bootleggers—it wasn’t a very sophisticated operation, but they were producing, distributing, and selling illegal moonshine in the area.”–Grady Judd, Sheriff

On Thursday, August 15, 2013, PCSO detectives served three Search Warrants in the Haines City area related to the making, selling and distribution of illegal Moonshine; 3 men were arrested. The locations of where the warrants were served and arrests made are:

#1) 3423 Carter Rd., Haines City. Joe Aaron (Dob: 07-29-1940) was arrested and charged with Possession/Sell/Mfg./Transport Still Material Liquids; Possession of Illegal Liquor, Conspiracy to Violate Beverage Law, and Unlawful Possession/Sell/Transport Alcohol Beverage Containers. During the execution of the search warrant, detectives located a moonshine still and still equipment inside the garage, along with numerous mason jars of assorted flavored moonshine. The still was located in a bathroom next to a dirty sink and a toilet. Aaron was producing and distributing the moonshine. The moonshine appears to have been distilled from a mixture of grains.

#2) 4730 Carl Boozer Rd., Haines City. Rickey Lamar Barnes (Dob: 11-19-1981) was arrested and charged with Possession/Sell/Mfg./Transport Still Material Liquids, Possession Of Illegal Liquor, Conspiracy to Violate Beverage Law Felony, Unlawful Possession/Sell/Transport Alcohol Beverage Containers, Possession of Cannabis Over 20 grams and Possession of Drug Paraphernalia. At this location, detectives located 59 Grams of Cannabis (located in a safe and in a mason jar), 1 jar of moonshine and numerous items involved in the flavoring of moonshine. Flavors included pineapple, apple pie, and peach.